October 15
Let me tell you what happened yesterday. After Goldi and Beauty saved us from Grendel, they led us to our missing uncle, who is now intent on revenge and may be committing murder as I write this, but then the Wicked Queen showed up, fixed all the broken magic mirrors, then ordered them to make a prophecy that says my sister and I are going to save the world but my dad said “forget that” and tried to squirrel us out of town until we realized we’re kind of stuck and have to stay and do the right thing even though all the Everafters looked like they’re sure we’re going to get everyone killed.
And that was all before dinner.
Today is a new day and I’m hoping it’s a little more relaxing. I mean, all I have to do is train and lead an army. I should have that finished before breakfast (insert sarcastic facial expression).
It seems that everywhere I go, people are staring at me, and there’s nowhere to hide. Now I know what it’s like to be a goldfish. Some of them watch me with curiosity, studying me as if they might uncover some secret strength they have previously overlooked. Others watch as if they’re about to see a terrible car accident, helpless to prevent vehicles from piling on top of one another and exploding. Some watch me out of the corners of their eyes while others stare at me directly until I notice, and then they try to act like they were looking at something else. Daphne is oblivious. In some ways I envy her ability to tune out the overwhelming disappointment of Charming’s army. But on the other hand, seeing her singing her little songs and making a face out of two fried eggs, a slice of bacon, and a pancake makes me feel as nervous as the others. We are so young.
? ? ?
Charming sat next to Sabrina and her family as they were eating breakfast in the camp canteen. He did not look happy. Then again, neither did anyone. Most of them ate listlessly, bending their ears to catch every word that came from their conversations.
“How long are you going to lollygag around here this morning?” he hissed.
“What does lollygag mean?” Daphne said.
“He’s saying we’re being lazy,” Sabrina explained. “What he means I don’t understand.”
“Then let me be a little more clear,” Charming said. “When do you plan on doing something about the prophecy?”
“Cut the kids a break, William,” Goldi said from a nearby table. “It just happened last night.”
“Well, you may have slept peacefully, but everyone else in this camp was up all night, worrying that a couple of kids who haven’t even hit puberty yet are responsible for their lives. The morale in this place has hit an all-time low. So unless the girls want these folks leaving in droves, I suggest they do whatever it is the mirrors told you to do.”
Sabrina frowned. “We’re on it,” she said.
Charming thanked her with a thick helping of sarcasm and stormed off to supervise work inside the castle.
Canis filled Charming’s seat at the table. “A word, Your Majesty,” he said in hushed tones to the Wicked Queen.
“Of course.”
“I understand that we have a book in our possession that could fix our problems,” he said quietly.
Bunny raised her eyes. “You know about the Book of Everafter?”
“Relda shared a number of things with me. I also understand you’ve had a little experience altering its contents so that the world received the benefits.”
Sabrina cocked an eyebrow. She knew exactly what Mr. Canis was talking about. Bunny had used the magical book to completely erase a human being from existence. Could it work on Mirror?
Bunny shook her head. “It’s not as simple as putting pen to paper. The story has to be managed and prodded, written and rewritten. The results are unpredictable at best and staggeringly difficult. It took me nearly twenty-five years to make the changes I made.”
“But certainly you should try,” Canis said.
“Relda Grimm doesn’t have twenty-five years,” Bunny said.
“What exactly are we supposed to do, then?” Sabrina whispered.
“We do the first thing on the prophecy list,” Bunny said. “The Council of Mirrors says Daphne has to build a coven.”
“And we will, as soon as I find out what a coven is,” Daphne said, shoving an entire link sausage into her already full mouth. Elvis sat nearby, watching with envy.
“It’s a group of witches,” Sabrina said.
“Three, to be exact,” Morgan added as she and Mr. Seven approached the table. “Glinda from Oz, Frau Pfefferkuchenhaus, and I were a coven. I’d be happy to join yours.”
Daphne grinned. “You would be my first choice, Morgan, and then you, Ms. Lancaster.”
Morgan and the Wicked Queen looked at each other and shrugged.
“OK, but there has to be three. Who’s last?” Bunny asked.